Being an ally to underrepresented groups means actively supporting and advocating for their rights, while acknowledging and challenging the systemic or structural injustices they face. Here is a list that includes the tops 6 most needed actions one can take to be an ally to underrepresented groups:
- Educate yourself: The first step in being an ally is to educate yourself about the experiences and challenges faced by the underrepresented groups you want to support. Read books, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts by people from these communities to gain a better understanding of their experiences, your experiences, and the world. Stay in the know.
- Listen and learn: Listen to the experiences and perspectives of underrepresented groups without judgment or defensiveness. Acknowledge your privilege and try to learn from their experiences. Seek out opportunities to engage with members of underrepresented groups and be open to feedback and criticism. Seek mentorship and role models from among those you want to support. This means learn with trust and respect.
- Speak up: Use your privilege to speak up and challenge systemic injustices when you see them. This can be as simple as calling out racist or sexist jokes, or as complex as advocating for policy changes in your workplace or community. Do this even if it makes you be "that person." Do it even if you put yourself at risk. It's better to make a mistake than allow a worse one to happen.
- Amplify voices: Use your platform and privilege to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. Share their stories and experiences on social media, in your workplace, and in your personal life. This can help raise awareness and build support for their causes. But mostly, take them to heart yourself. Change the grand narratives you may have grown up with.
- Donate and support: Consider donating to organizations that support underrepresented groups or using your skills and resources to support their causes. This could include volunteering your time, offering pro-bono services, or making donations to relevant organizations. I should probably list this as number 1. It's easy to put a black screen on your social media. It takes commitment to invest your own money.
- Hold yourself accountable: Recognize that being an ally is an ongoing process and that mistakes will be made. Hold yourself accountable for your actions and be open to feedback and criticism, don't give up or feel frustrated (like with anything new you learn, right?). Continuously educate yourself and challenge your own biases and assumptions.
These are some of the 6 most effective steps you can take to become an effective ally to underrepresented groups and help promote a more equitable and just society. Dig deep into each of them. Jennifer Brown, Laura Listwood, Mary Frances-Winters, Ijeoma Oluo, Elizabeth Leiba, Tara Jaye Frank and many others have written amazing books. Look them up to learn more.
